Special Education & Bullying Prevention Initiatives

1. Special Education &Bullying Prevention Initiatives PAC Presentation May 3, 2013

2. Why are some students bullied? • We have students who are socially isolated, socially unaware, rigid in their thinking, and unable to differentiate between the “social reality” of our world and the “social reality” of their world. Some people use the expression that “children with social deficits live their way in our world”. Because of their learning profile, established social isolation, and enjoyment of media based tools that provide concrete and discrete feedback, many of these students become anesthetized to violence and social aberrancy over time. When you combine this with a lack of explicit instruction in pro-social behaviors, it can be a life-long struggle for these learners.

3. Anti-bullying Legislation: • In response to a number of events in the news over the past several years, the State of Massachusetts passed a law in the spring of 2010 to prevent bullying in schools. • Defines what constitutes bullying • Prohibits bullying and retaliation for reporting • Requires schools to educate students and staff about bullying prevention, and to implement and publicize a bullying prevention plan • Requires that bullying incidents be reported a new law in the spring of 2010 to prevent bullying in schools.

4. Specifics: Definition of Bullying Bullying is the repeated use of writing, words, gestures, or electronics that: • causes physical or emotional harm • places someone in fear of harm • creates a hostile environment • disrupts education in the building

5. Definition of Cyber-bullying Includes, but is not limited to: • creating a web page or blog in which the creator pretends they are someone else • pretending you are someone else while posting • any communication transmitted or posted that causes emotional harm or places somebody in fear of harm

6. Bullying at School and Elsewhere • Bullying is not allowed on school grounds, at school-related activities, on school buses, or using school technology. • Bullying is also not allowed at non-school activities or on non-school technology if it creates a hostile environment at school for the target (Facebook, for example).

7. Definition of Retaliation • “Retaliation against a person who reports bullying, or provides information during an investigation of bullying, or witnesses bullying or has reliable information about bullying, is prohibited.”

8. Reporting Bullying • Principal or building designee • Assistant Principal • Guidance • Anonymous Concerns Report (http://www.westonschools.org/index.cfm?pid=25002)

9. Staff Training • Weston’s Bullying Prevention Policy includes the following essential components: • Annual review and acknowledgement of Bullying Prevention Policy • Ongoing professional development • Written Notice of Staff Responsibilities • Identifying resources and allocating supports • Explicit instruction for Bullying Prevention

10. How does an IEP capture bullying prevention for students who may be at risk to being bullied or being a bully him/herself: • Statement clarifying area of concern in “Additional Information” • Accommodations- PLEP A and B • Modifications- PLEP A and B • Direct services Goals and Services • General Education Initiatives

11. For any students who are not at risk being bullied or being a bully him/herself Statement under Additional Information of the IEP might include language like: • The team has reviewed _____’s needs in the areas of prevention of bullying and has determined that at this time, ____  is not at greater risk than peers to bullying and no further action is warranted beyond the district initiatives for bullying prevention as she/he presents with the necessary/developing social skills needed to self advocate, inform staff and participate in all aspects of the bullying prevention program

12. Thank you • Questions?